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Man fined over greyhound deaths Man fined over greyhound deaths
(about 3 hours later)
A builders' merchant who killed racing dogs with a bolt gun and buried them at his home has been fined £2,000.A builders' merchant who killed racing dogs with a bolt gun and buried them at his home has been fined £2,000.
David Smith, 57, of Northdene Terrace, Seaham, admitted disposing of the greyhounds without a permit.David Smith, 57, of Northdene Terrace, Seaham, admitted disposing of the greyhounds without a permit.
Judge Peter Armstrong said he would have jailed Smith had this been an animal cruelty case, but accepted the police and RSPCA had investigated.
Magistrates previously heard Smith had put down about two dogs a week for the past two years, at a cost of £10 each.Magistrates previously heard Smith had put down about two dogs a week for the past two years, at a cost of £10 each.
He was fined at Durham Crown Court following a private prosecution by the Environment Agency, after police said he had committed no offence.He was fined at Durham Crown Court following a private prosecution by the Environment Agency, after police said he had committed no offence.
It had been claimed that Smith, who was also ordered to pay £2,000 costs, had shot about 10,000 dogs, but magistrates were earlier told the figure was nowhere near that.
The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority RSPCA spokeswoman Racing 'strain' on animal welfareThe greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority RSPCA spokeswoman Racing 'strain' on animal welfare
It had been claimed that Smith, who was also ordered to pay £2,000 costs, had shot about 10,000 dogs, but magistrates were earlier told the figure was nowhere near that.
He was questioned by police, but it was confirmed the bolt gun used to kill the retired greyhounds was held legitimately.He was questioned by police, but it was confirmed the bolt gun used to kill the retired greyhounds was held legitimately.
Following a six-month investigation, the Environment Agency prosecuted him under legislation used to restrict the dumping of waste.Following a six-month investigation, the Environment Agency prosecuted him under legislation used to restrict the dumping of waste.
He admitted a single charge under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations that, on 12 July 2006 he disposed of waste - the bodies of deceased dogs - on land without a permit.He admitted a single charge under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations that, on 12 July 2006 he disposed of waste - the bodies of deceased dogs - on land without a permit.
Greyhound protection group Greyhound Action held a protest outside the court on Friday, and said it was disgraceful that the dog racing industry itself was not in the dock.Greyhound protection group Greyhound Action held a protest outside the court on Friday, and said it was disgraceful that the dog racing industry itself was not in the dock.
A spokesman for the British Greyhound Racing Board (BGRB) said the organisation was disgusted by what had happened at Seaham, and that an investigation was ongoing.
'Independent regulation''Independent regulation'
A spokesman for the British Greyhound Racing Board (BGRB) said the organisation was disgusted by what had happened at Seaham, and that an investigation was ongoing.
Animal welfare was its highest priority, and had improved "vastly" in recent years, he added.Animal welfare was its highest priority, and had improved "vastly" in recent years, he added.
Inquiries by the RSPCA concluded that there was no indication animal cruelty laws had been broken, because the dogs had been killed humanely.Inquiries by the RSPCA concluded that there was no indication animal cruelty laws had been broken, because the dogs had been killed humanely.
But a spokeswoman for the charity was critical of the dog racing industry.But a spokeswoman for the charity was critical of the dog racing industry.
She said: "It's vital that racing greyhounds are given the protection they deserve through proper independent regulation.She said: "It's vital that racing greyhounds are given the protection they deserve through proper independent regulation.
"The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority.""The greyhound racing industry needs to clean up its act and ensure the dogs' welfare is a top priority."